Mia and I have been taping quite a bit recently—including the elusive Dr. Makanga, founder of the Green Party in Kenya and eminence grise and supporter of Wangari Maathai. He gave us a good idea of just how terrifying and violent the Moi administration had been, and how often Wangari Maathai was in the frontline. Tales of midnight rides, and burned villages, vigilantes and all-night seminars, burglaries and police visits. It made both of us realize just at what cost she had fought for freedom and democracy, and how close she had been to serious physical harm or even assassination. It gave us also a glimpse into what it is like to live under a genuinely oppressive regime, with a police force willing to kill you, and a political establishment out to stop you. You'll have to read the book to find out more!

And, as readers of this blog will know, I have been hoping for rain—so that the farmers can plant their crops. Well, last night and this morning it poured. We can only hope that it has poured in the villages so that the crops can at last be planted.

Mia and I have made friends with the three cats at the Fairview Hotel, whom we know approach us out of genuine love and affection and not because we might give them food. Two of them are neutered/spayed, and one is only a kitten, and very frisky. They have a great time in the lush gardens, which are full of flowers and butterflies. We even saw a hummingbird the other day.